What Is an E-Liquid?
E-Liquid is the combination of Vegetable Glycerine, Propylene Glycol, Flavourings and Nicotine. E-liquid is added to your vape tank, where it is stored and slowly soaks cotton contained within the heating element of the tank. When heated by the coil, the e-liquid evaporates and turns into water-based vapour that is then inhaled and exhaled. This water-vapour helps deliver the nicotine and flavourings. Each of the individual ingredients that are used to create e-liquid are all safe for human consumption, however they can be dangerous if swallowed or if they come into contact with skin.
What is PG & VG ratio?
The two core components of e-liquid are VG (Vegetable Glycerine) and PG (Propylene Glycol). You will notice that all our product listings for e-liquid display the PG/VG ratio, this is because vape juices come in many different types. The ratio of VG & PG is important because it changes your vaping experience. The most common VG/PG ratios we stock are 70% VG / 30% PG and 50% VG / 50% PG.
Vegetable Glycerine is a liquid with a thick consistency. It is made from a vegetable base and is non-toxic. As well as being one of the main ingredients of e-liquid, VG is widely used within the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry. It has a naturally sweet taste and is the element within e-liquid that provides you with the quantity of vapour production. An e-liquid with a high ratio of VG will require a higher heat to evaporate and turn into vapour, which is why it is recommended to have a higher power, or sub-ohm device when using high VG e-liquids.
Propylene Glycol is a clear, flavourless liquid that has a low viscosity. In e-liquid, PG is the element that carries the flavourings and delivers a harsher throat hit. High PG e-liquids are typically used with lower powered, mouth to lung devices and contain a higher nicotine strength. Due to their low viscosity, higher PG e-liquids are typically used in lower powered devices as they heat quicker than higher VG liquids. Propylene Glycol is not only used in e-liquids and is used widely by the food and pharmaceutical industries.
What Nicotine Strength Do I Need?
Choosing the right nicotine strength is important. It could be the difference between you making the switch to vaping or continuing with cigarettes, so having something that satisfies your cravings is important. To ensure that you choose the right nicotine strength, you must first consider your daily smoking habit. Light smokers will only need a small amount of nicotine to satisfy their cravings, whilst heavy smokers will require more.
The amount of nicotine you require, will also depend on the device you are using as nicotine comes in two forms, freebase, and salt base.
Freebase nicotine is what you will typically find in standard e-liquids. Our most popular type of e-liquid we sell is 50ml in size, which requires the addition of nicotine, in which, most of our customers choose the 3mg nicotine strength option. Salt base, or Nicotine Salt, contains nicotine, but also other organic components such as Benzoic Acid, which lowers the pH, making it less harsh and allowing you to vape at higher nicotine strengths. The most common nicotine strength we sell in Nicotine Salts is 20mg.
What Types of E-Liquid are Available?
With one of the widest ranges of e-liquid in the UK, we understand that it may be overwhelming when trying to choose the right e-liquid for you and your vape kit. The e-liquids we stock can be broken down into sub-categories, making it easier to understand the differences between thousands of flavours!
High PG E-Liquids – These liquids typically have a higher PG ratio. A high PG ratio would be anything considered over 50%. These types of e-liquids are best suited with devices that are considered Mouth to Lung devices, such as Pod Kits or lower powered devices. High PG e-liquids should always be used with coils that are over 1 ohm. This type of e-liquid is the most popular with people just making the switch to vaping as it more closely replicates the feeling of smoking and carries higher nicotine strengths.
High VG E-Liquids – These liquids are typically classed as anything over 70% VG. They are designed to be used with higher powered devices, which typically feature sub-ohm coils (under 1.0-ohm rating). They produce high levels of flavour & vapour, and the liquid is thicker and sweeter. Due to how high VG are heated quickly at higher temperatures, we do not recommend vaping over 6mg nicotine strength. Trying to use these liquids in a plus ohm device will result in a poor vaping experience as the liquid is too thick and cannot be absorbed properly.
Nicotine Salts – These offer a beginner friendly vaping experience and often come in either 10mg or 20mg nicotine strengths. Nicotine Salts typically have a 50% PG ratio, meaning they are great in MTL and pod devices. Nicotine Salts replace freebase nicotine with salt nicotine, providing you with a smoother throat hit and often a quicker absorption rate of nicotine. Due to their high nicotine strength, nicotine salts will typically only be sold in 10ml bottles.
Shortfill E-Liquids – Our most popular type, shortfill e-liquids, are larger bottles that are filled to 80% capacity and are nicotine free. The 20% remaining space allows you to add your own nicotine.
What are the Best E-Liquid Flavours?
As the e-liquid industry grows, so does the number of flavours and brands available. Choosing the right flavour for you is important and one of the most exciting things about vaping! Hunting for that all-day-vape and all-time favourite is hugely enjoyable for many vapers and experimentation is key.
With over 2,500 individual e-liquid listings, we have a massive range of flavours to choose from, from simple tobacco or menthol blends to complex, layered e-liquids that take inspiration from food & drink. E-Liquid flavours come in a wide variety, but typically fall into flavour group categories, such as: Tobacco, Menthol, Fruits, Desserts, Candy & Beverage.